Fire Pit with Heat Exchanger

ABSTRACT

An outdoor fire pit comprised of a concave fire chamber, a heat chamber that is positioned below the fire chamber and is comprised of partially enclosed area surrounding the bottom portion of the fire chamber. The fire pit includes a conduit or multiple conduits with the proximal end connected to the heat chamber and the other end extending distally from the fire pit. A fan connected to the conduit such that the fan is operable to blow or pull air through the conduit to the area surrounding the fire pit.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/466,616, entitled FIRE PIT WITH HEAT EXCHANGER,filed Mar. 3, 2017, and hereby incorporates the same application hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Portable and stationary outdoor fire pits, fire tables, and fireplacesare common, and many different types are available in commerce. Althoughfire pits are popular, these outdoor systems are inefficient atproviding heat to the area surrounding the fire pit. This limitationhinders the usefulness of fire pits during colder weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable outdoor firepit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable outdoorfire pit;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable outdoorfire;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable outdoorfire pit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable outdoorfire;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the portable outdoor fire pit ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable outdoorfire having a flexible conduit connectable to a fan disposed within theportable outdoor fire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. The use of “a” or “an” todescribe the various elements and components herein is merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Reference will now be made to the embodiments or examples of a fire pitas illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood however thatdiscussion of one or more specific examples are provided to promote anunderstanding of the invention and should not limit the scope.

Referring the FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, embodiments of a portable fire pitare described herein comprising a fire chamber (1) suitable forcontaining combustible material. The combustible material describedherein may include: wood, coal, pellets (e.g., wood, coal, combustiblematerial, etc.), natural gas, propane gas or the like. The fire chamber(1) described herein may be comprised of a concave structure suitablefor containing or holding and burning the combustible materials. Theshape and material of the fire chamber are suitable for containing thefire and conducting heat. The fire chamber is connected to andpositioned above the heat chamber (2) which surrounds the bottom of thefire chamber and is comprised of materials suitable for containing orretaining the heat in the fire chamber. In one embodiment, the heatchamber is made of a material with insulating properties to retain heatwithin the heat chamber and reduce heat loss through the heat chamber.The heat chamber may contain a structure or more than one structurewhich increases the surface area to maximize the conduction, convectionand radiation of heat. The heat chamber may set directly on the groundor may be supported by one or more members that support the chamberabove the ground (e.g., feet).

The fire pit may include one or more conduits (4) proximally connectedto the heat chamber and extending distally from the heat chamber to thearea surrounding the fire pit. For example, the fire pit may have oneconduit connected thereto. In other embodiments, the fire pit may havetwo conduits, three conduits, four conduits, five conduits, or sixconduits connected thereto. The one or more conduits may include aninlet positioned at the proximal end and an outlet positioned at adistal end of each of the one or more conduits. In some embodiments,each proximal end of the one or more conduits is connected to and influid communication with the heat chamber (2) such that the one or moreconduits may transport heated air (or fluid) within the one or moreconduits from the heat chamber to each of the outlets of the one or moreconduits. The heated air exits each of the one or more outlets to thearea surrounding the fire pit (e.g., the area where persons sit aroundthe fire pit. It is contemplated that the conduit may be from about 1½inch to about 6 feet, about ½ inch to about 5 feet, about ½ inch toabout 4 feet, about ½ inch to about 3 feet, about ½ inch to about 2feet, about ½ inch to about 12 inches, about ½ inch to about 10 inches,about ½ inch to about 8 inches, about ½ inch to about 6 inches, about ½inch to about 4 inches, about ½ inch to about 2 inches, or about ½ inchto about 1 inch.

In one embodiment (FIG. 1), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening in the bottom to provide an inlet(3) for ambient air to enter the heat chamber. Connected to the heatchamber are a series of conduits (4) that extend from the heat chamber.In this embodiment, fans (5) either blow or pull air through theconduits depending on the placement of the fans in relationship to theproximal or distal portion of the conduits to the area surrounding thefire pit where the individuals are sitting or standing.

In one embodiment (FIG. 2), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening in the bottom to provide an inlet(3) for ambient air to enter the heat chamber. Connected to the heatchamber are a series of conduits (4) that extend from the heat chamber.In this embodiment, the conduits (4) are stationary and are comprised ofmetal, steel or cast iron. A blower (5) blows air through the heatchamber and conduit to the area surrounding the fire pit where theindividuals are sitting or standing.

In one embodiment (FIG. 3), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening in the bottom to provide an inlet(3) for ambient air to enter the heat chamber. The heat chamber (2)extends to the area surrounding the fire pit. Within the heat chamberare a series of conduits (4). In this embodiment, a blower (5) blows airthrough the heat chamber and conduits to the area surrounding the firepit where the individuals are sitting or standing.

In one embodiment (FIG. 4), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening in the bottom to provide an inlet(3) for ambient air to enter the heat chamber. Connected to the heatchamber are a series of conduits (4) that extend from the heat chamber.In this embodiment, the conduits (4) are flexible and are comprised offabric, rubber or plastic. Fans blow air through the flexible conduitsto the area surrounding the fire pit where the individuals are sittingor standing. The flexible conduits are removable and can be detachedwhen not in use.

In one embodiment (FIG. 5), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening in the bottom to provide an inletfor ambient air to enter the heat chamber. Connected to the heat chamberare a series of fans (3) that blow air to the area surrounding the firepit where the individuals are sitting or standing.

In one embodiment (FIG. 6), the fire pit comprises a fire chamber (1)suitable for burning combustible materials and a heat chamber (2) thatis partially enclosed with an opening (4) in the bottom to provide aninlet for ambient air to enter the heat chamber. Connected to the heatchamber are a series of fans (3) that blow air to the area surroundingthe fire pit where the individuals are sitting or standing.

In one embodiment (FIG. 7), FIG. 7 includes a perspective view of aflexible conduit (1) that can be connected to the fan (2) in the heatchamber or detached and removed when not in use.

In one or more embodiments of the fire pit shown and described herein,the fire pit may comprise a multi-component or integral framework ormonolithic housing that the fire chamber (1), heat chamber (2), one ormore conduits (4), and/or fans may be fixedly or detachably connectedthereto. In one or more embodiments of the fire pit shown and describedherein, the heat chamber (2) may comprise a housing or shell that formsor defines a chamber therein for holding and transporting fluid (e.g.,air) within and/or through to the one or more conduits. The housing orshell of the heat chamber (2) may comprise a material to assist or aidin the efficient exchange of heat from the fire chamber to the fluid(e.g., air) within the heat chamber.

In one or more embodiments of the fire pit shown and described herein,the opening within the heat chamber may comprise multiple openings. Inone or more embodiments of the fire pit shown and described herein, theheat chamber may comprise a heat chamber outlet that the one or moreconduits are connected to and in fluid communication with in order totransport (e.g., either blow or pull) fluid (e.g., heated air) from theheat chamber to each of the outlets of the one or more conduits. In oneor more embodiments of the fire pit shown and described herein, the heatchamber may comprise other fluids to aid in heat exchange from the firechamber to the air that will be transported and exited out each of theone or more conduits to the area around the fire pit (e.g., and adjacentthe persons sitting near and around the fire pit). In one or moreembodiments shown and described herein, the fire pit is constructed suchthat the combustion of material produces heat which is radiated abovethe fire pit but also heats the material of the fire chamber whichtransfers heat through radiation, conduction, and convection to the heatchamber. This heated air is blown through the conduits directly to thearea surrounding the fire pit. In some embodiments, the heat chambercomprises a heat chamber outlet for each of the one or more conduitssuch that each heat chamber outlet is connected to and in fluidcommunication with each respective one of the one or more conduits.

In one or more embodiments shown and described herein, the fire pit andits components may be fabricated from a variety of metals, compositematerials, ceramics, plastics, any other conventional materials, andcombinations thereof to aid in either the conduction or insulation ofheat transfer.

What is claimed:
 1. An outdoor fire pit comprising: a concave firechamber; a heat chamber that is fastened below the fire chamber and iscomprised of partially enclosed area surrounding the bottom portion ofthe fire chamber; a conduit with the proximal end connected to the heatchamber and the distal end extending to the area surrounding the firepit; and a fan connected to the conduit such that the fan is operable toblow or pull air through the conduit to the area surrounding the firepit.
 2. The fire pit of claim 1, wherein the combustion of materialtransfers heat by conduction, convection, and radiation between the heatconducting material of the fire chamber and the heat chamber.
 3. Thefire pit of claim 1, wherein the heat chamber positioned below the firechamber, comprises the partially enclosed air space with a bottom walland an opening in the bottom wall to allow air to flow into the chamber.4. The fire pit of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a plurality ofstationary conduits extending from the heat chamber.
 5. The fire pit ofclaim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of flexible conduitsextending from the heat chamber.
 6. The fire pit of claim 1, wherein thefan comprises a plurality of fans.
 7. The fire pit of claim 1, whereinthe fan is attached near the proximal end of the conduit and pulls airthrough the heat chamber and blows air through the conduit.
 8. The firepit of claim 1, wherein the fan is attached near the distal end of theconduit and pulls air through the heat chamber and conduit.
 9. Anoutdoor fire pit comprising: a concave fire chamber; a heat chamber thatis fastened below the fire chamber and is comprised of partiallyenclosed area surrounding the bottom portion of the fire chamber; aconduit with the proximal end connected to the heat chamber and thedistal end extending to the area surrounding the fire pit; and a blowerfastened to the heat chamber such that the blower is operable to blowair through the conduit to the area surrounding the fire pit.
 10. Thefire pit of claim 9, wherein the conduit comprises a plurality ofconduits extending from the heat chamber.
 11. The fire pit of claim 9,wherein the blower comprises a plurality of fans.
 12. The fire pit ofclaim 9 wherein the conduit comprises a flexible conduit with theproximal end connected to the heat chamber and the distal end connectedto a chair, tent, or enclosed structure near the fire pit.
 13. The firepit of claim 9 wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of flexibleconduits that are attachable connected and removably connected to theheat chamber.
 14. An outdoor fire pit comprising: a concave firechamber; a heat chamber that is fastened below the fire chamber and iscomprised of partially enclosed area surrounding the bottom portion ofthe fire chamber. The bottom portion of the heat chamber extends to thearea surrounding the fire pit a conduit with the proximal end connectedto the heat chamber and the distal end extending through the heatchamber; and a blower fastened to the heat chamber such that the bloweris operable to blow air through the conduit to the area surrounding thefire pit.
 15. The fire pit of claim 14, wherein the conduit comprises aplurality of stationary conduits extending from the heat chamber. 16.The fire pit of claim 14, wherein the blower comprises a plurality offans.